Fertility an Issue for Breast Cancer Patients

Oct. 14, 2004 -- Young women facing breast cancer are concerned about preserving their ability to have children after treatment -- a concern often overlooked by doctors one of the largest studies ever to assess fertility concerns among patients 40 and under shows.

"This should serve as a wake-up call to the medical community that fertility is an issue that needs to be addressed up front and should be included in any risk versus benefits analysis regarding treatment," she says.

Several small studies indicate that the risk of premature menopause is around 10% to 15% in women under 40 treated with this regimen, compared with around 40% among women of the same age treated with an older, six-cycle regimen that includes the drugs cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil.

"When I was diagnosed six years ago there really wasn't very much information available for women of my age with breast cancer," Rosenberg says. "It was very frustrating to try and navigate treatment options because younger women are not really included in clinical studies. I was lucky enough to have an oncologist that took my fertility concerns seriously."

Four months ago, at age 38, Rosenberg gave birth to her first child, a girl.

"My example is shared by many women who have been treated for breastcancer," she says. "Premature menopause is certainly a concern with breast cancer treatment, but the fabulous news for young women is that the risk is smaller than they might think."

11,000 Cases a Year

Women under 40 account for just 5% of breast cancers, but that translates into more than 11,000 cases among American women in this age group each year.